Wisdom and Mission

Open

Think of a time when you have felt close to burnout. What were the circumstances in your life at that time? Did you ask for/accept help? Why or why not?

Reflect

Why would Moses include the story of Jethro’s help in Exodus 18? What does it show us about God? About Moses?

What does 19:4-6 tell us about the purpose of God’s covenant with Israel? How would these words have sounded to a people who had only known slavery in Egypt?

Based on the descriptions of Mount Sinai and the requirements necessary to approach it, what does God want Israel to understand about obedience and holiness?

Apply

Jethro’s advice to Moses is yet another example in the Bible of God bringing order out of chaos. Where do you personally get to reflect God’s image by bringing order out of chaos?

Have a group member read Hebrews 12:18-29. How has our approach to God changed as a result of the shed blood of Christ? What role should reverent awe of God, like we see in the Exodus story, play in the life of a New Testament believer?

Close

What attribute of God did you see in this week’s passage that particularly struck you? How should it change the way you pray, think, speak or act this week?

Ideas for Family Discipleship

Time

Set aside time this week to read Exodus 18-19 together as a family. Summarize the main points and then discuss these questions.

// What are the different roles or jobs that each person is responsible for in your family?

// Why is it good that one person is not responsible for everything?

// How can you be better at doing the jobs you don’t want to do or sharing the responsibilities you enjoy?

// Are there things in your home, physically or spiritually, that would benefit from more hard work, leadership or delegation? How can you work at them together?

Moments

Leverage opportunities this week to work hard at the tasks that have been assigned to you and remind each other that your work serves the Lord. Encourage each other often with Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Milestones

For the Israelites, Sinai became a special place, the mountain of God. Is there a place that is special for your family that could serve as a place of remembrance? How often do you go there? This could be an opportunity to plan a family pilgrimage or rite of passage as a milestone.